diff --git a/.claude/skills/create-skill/SKILL.md b/.claude/skills/create-skill/SKILL.md
index 93f34c7e8..ac94cbc14 100644
--- a/.claude/skills/create-skill/SKILL.md
+++ b/.claude/skills/create-skill/SKILL.md
@@ -149,14 +149,14 @@ Establish a list of reusable resources: scripts, references, and assets.
 
 ### Step 3: Initialize the Skill
 
-Run the init script to generate a template skill directory:
+Create the skill directory manually:
 
 ```
-scripts/init_skill.py <skill-name> --path <output-directory>
+mkdir -p <output-directory>/<skill-name>
 ```
 
-Creates: skill directory, SKILL.md template with TODO placeholders, example
-resource directories with sample files.
+Then create `SKILL.md` with frontmatter and body. Add `scripts/`, `references/`,
+and `assets/` subdirectories only as needed.
 
 Skip if iterating on an existing skill.
 
@@ -184,20 +184,14 @@ For design patterns, consult:
 
 **Body:** Instructions for using the skill and its bundled resources.
 
-### Step 5: Package the Skill
+### Step 5: Validate the Skill
 
-```
-scripts/package_skill.py <path/to/skill-folder>
-```
-
-Optional output directory:
-```
-scripts/package_skill.py <path/to/skill-folder> ./dist
-```
-
-The script validates (frontmatter, naming, description, file organization) then
-packages into a `.skill` file (zip with .skill extension). Fix any validation
-errors and re-run if needed.
+Check the skill manually:
+- Frontmatter has `name` and `description`
+- SKILL.md body is under 500 lines
+- No extraneous files (README.md, CHANGELOG.md, etc.)
+- Scripts are executable and tested
+- References are referenced from SKILL.md
 
 ### Step 6: Iterate